Chang Quits as Coach of Chinas Shuai
Posted on November 24, 2007American Michael Chang has quit as coach of Chinese player Peng Shuai, with his coaching duties getting in the way of his new tennis mega-academy in China.
"[The Chinese tennis association] wanted me to travel with her (Peng) to all the events and I just don't have the time to do that," Chang said. "Obviously we would always keep our door open if she ever needs anything."
Chang plans to set up a tennis academy at the Mission Hills Golf Club in southern China, and wants Chinese officials to let him get more involved.
"I think if I was more heavily involved with preparing the Olympic team, the opportunity for them to do well and to possibly win another medal or multiple medals in my opinion would increase," he said. "In my opinion there are some things that need to be revised [with Chinese training]. I don't think there are major things but there are some things that can be implemented to help them go to the next level. China's been an incredible place for racket sports -- ping pong, badminton -- the best in the world. Tennis shouldn't be an exception to that."
Chang's complex will open in 2008. The Mission Hills complex will have 12 golf courses and 50 outdoor hardcourts, with additional claycourts and indoor courts under construction.
Chang and Tenniel Chu, the executive director of Mission Hills, said Chang's new tennis academy would open next year on the grounds of the sprawling golf resort. Mission Hills is the world's largest golf complex with 12 courses spread over 15 square kilometres.
"There's going to be a whole mix of players," Chang said "I would never deny a child the opportunity to come out and play tennis because he or she was not able to come out and pay for the living expenses out here."
"[The Chinese tennis association] wanted me to travel with her (Peng) to all the events and I just don't have the time to do that," Chang said. "Obviously we would always keep our door open if she ever needs anything."
Chang plans to set up a tennis academy at the Mission Hills Golf Club in southern China, and wants Chinese officials to let him get more involved.
"I think if I was more heavily involved with preparing the Olympic team, the opportunity for them to do well and to possibly win another medal or multiple medals in my opinion would increase," he said. "In my opinion there are some things that need to be revised [with Chinese training]. I don't think there are major things but there are some things that can be implemented to help them go to the next level. China's been an incredible place for racket sports -- ping pong, badminton -- the best in the world. Tennis shouldn't be an exception to that."
Chang's complex will open in 2008. The Mission Hills complex will have 12 golf courses and 50 outdoor hardcourts, with additional claycourts and indoor courts under construction.
Chang and Tenniel Chu, the executive director of Mission Hills, said Chang's new tennis academy would open next year on the grounds of the sprawling golf resort. Mission Hills is the world's largest golf complex with 12 courses spread over 15 square kilometres.
"There's going to be a whole mix of players," Chang said "I would never deny a child the opportunity to come out and play tennis because he or she was not able to come out and pay for the living expenses out here."